Drink Pink!

Just in time for our Appalachian Trail celebration, festival sponsor Catoctin Creek brings us a new Appalachian-inspired spirit: Shenandoah Gin. What's there to love about this Catoctin Creek creation? 1. It's pink! 2. It's rather tasty! 3. It's flavored with our own native pawpaw!

This from Catoctin Creek:
"Our Shenandoah Gin draws inspiration from an old Appalachian recipe, featuring natural flavors of ripe strawberry and pawpaw, and an attractive pink color that comes from natural black carrot juice. The result is a vibrant, fruit-forward American gin that balances tradition with a distinctly regional character, showcasing ingredients long celebrated in the Shenandoah and Appalachian regions."

(Pawpaw side note: The fruit of this tree is often referred to as the "Appalachian Banana" and considered "trail magic" by hikers lucky enough to come across ripe fruit in the fall. Hikers familiar with the traditional Appalachian folk song "Way Down Yonder in the Pawpaw Patch" have been know to hum the tune when they find a grove of the trees along the trail. And, as if that weren't enough: The pawpaw tree is the exclusive host plant for the beautiful zebra swallowtail butterfly, whose caterpillars feast on its leaves.)

So many thanks to Catoctin Creek for their sponsorship, their new pink drink and their celebration of our Appalachian heritage!

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